Hesperia faces an uphill climb this season as the Panthers will enter the season with only one player possessing significant varsity experience. Last year’s team posted a 6-17 record.
Malakai Sellers is the Panthers’ top returner, and he’ll lead a team that does not have any seniors on the roster.
“Our greatest strength is youthful enthusiasm,” Hesperia coach Scott Warsaw said. “As far as our weaknesses, we are small and inexperienced. We need to stress rebounding and help defense.
“We have had a losing record the last few years and our number one priority is turning the program around and building a winning culture.”
Though they don’t have a lot of experience, Warsaw believes Nate Sherburn and Keegan Roberson have displayed leadership qualities and will be a key part of what the Panthers do this year. Also on the roster are Dominick Rivera, Marshall Norris, Nate Ruhstorfer, Weston Hasted and Tyler Rumsey.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our level of compete this year,” Warsaw said.
The Panthers hope to be competitive in the West Michigan Conference Rivers, but North Muskegon, which has dominated the conference in recent years, is considered the team to beat until someone knocks it off its perch. Shelby and Holton are always standout games due to being local rivals. The Panthers also face county foes Walkerville and Pentwater in non-conference play, and will take on opponents from both bigger (Orchard View, Manistee) and smaller (Mason Co. Eastern, West Michigan Lutheran) schools.
